Florida Culture for the Week of June 26 by Josh Garrick

June 28 at 8 pm – Over 50 Arts Groups Join Together for OneOrlando Fund Benefit 
In what promises to be the largest number of performers ever assembled in Central Florida, over 50 Arts Group (and growing) will join together to support the first responders, the victims and the families of the Pulse Tragedy. Led by Joshua Vickery of Central Florida Community Arts, Cole NeSmith of Creative City Project, Mitzi Maxwell of Mad Cow Theater, Robert Hill of Orlando Ballet and Eric Jacobsen of Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, the 50 arts groups will create a memorial event including a huge choir and orchestra, with dance and theater pieces in an artistic collaboration unlike anything seen before.  In addition, a variety of non-performing arts groups will participate backstage, with creative development, pre-show performances and visual displays. 
Entitled ‘Beautiful Together,’ this artistic journey toward hope will be performed on Tuesday, June 28 at the Dr. Phillips Center, with all proceeds going to the OneOrlando Fund. Tickets are $15, $25 and $45.  Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Open NOW – Mayor Dyer Opens Family Assistance Center for PULSE Families 
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the City of Orlando, in partnership with federal, state, local and community agencies has opened the Family Assistance Center (FAC) to address the immediate needs of those families directly affected by the Pulse tragedy. Services include: Air Travel, Child Services, Consulate Services, Counseling, Crime Victim Services, Funeral Services, Health Care Assistance, Identification Documents, Language Translation, Legal Aid, Lodging, and Senior Services. Visit Cityoforlando.net/FamilyAssistanceCenter or call 407-246-4357. 

NOW to July 11 – The Brothers Size at Mad Cow Theatre 
The Chicago Tribune calls ‘The Brothers Size,’ "The greatest piece of writing by an American playwright under 30 in a generation or more."  Set in Louisiana, big brother Ogun is hard-working and independent while younger brother Oshoosi is just out of prison and aimless. Playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney crafts symbolism and ritual into a tough/tender drama about the unbreakable bond between brothers and family. Call 407-297-8788 x1 or visit madcowtheatre.com 

June 29 at 6:30 pm – Two Great Chefs in “Chef Series” Free Event 
4R Chef John Rivers and Rav Pig Chef James Petrakis will team up for the next “Chef Series” cooking demonstration on June 29 on the patio at The COOP. The two award-winning chefs plan a hands-on experience for attendees including Chef Petrakis’ Campfire Monkfish wrapped in country ham and Chef Rivers’ Brisket and Grits. Attendees will be invited to sample each dish, take home recipe cards, and participate in a Q&A with the chefs. The event is FREE and open to all at the Coop at 610 W Morse Blvd in Winter Park. 

July 29 to Aug 21 -- Winter Park Playhouse Presents Musical “I Love My Wife”
The Tony award-winning Broadway musical “I Love My Wife” is set in New Jersey during the 1970's ‘sexual revolution’ with the comedy revolving around two suburban couples attempting to spice up their sex lives but not quite moving beyond the picket fence.  The top-notch cast of singer-actors includes Heather Alexander, Natalie Cordone, Michael Colavolpe, and Shawn Kilgore with comedy veteran Michael Edwards directing. Recommended for mature audiences.  Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

Photo Credit: Taylor Glore  (lft to rt.) Michael Colavolpe, Heather Alexander, Natalie Cordone, Shawn Kilgore

 June 29 & 30 – Justin Bieber Heats Up Florida in June 
With back-to-back world-wide hit singles and his new album ‘Purpose’ hitting an all-time high, Justin Bieber is in the middle of a 58-date concert tour which concludes on July 18 at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. His hit “What Do You Mean?” hit #1 at iTunes within five minutes of its release, and reached #1 at iTunes in more than 90 countries. At 7:30 pm on June 29, Bieber will take the stage at the Jacksonville Veterans Arena, and the following evening, Bieber will bring the show to the Amway Center in Orlando. Visit ticketmaster.com/justin-bieber

June 30 at 8 pm – Anderson Cooper & Andy Cohen to Benefit OneOrlando Fund 
In light of the horrific attack at Pulse Nightclub, Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen will present a special LIVE benefit AC2 show at the Dr. Phillips Center with 100% of proceeds raised to benefit the OneOrlando Fund (oneorlando.org).  AC2 is an unpredictable night of laughs and conversation with the multi-Emmy Award winning personalities, Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen (ac2live.com) both donating their services for the one-night-only benefit. Created by Mayor Buddy Dyer, the OneOrlando Fund will respond to the needs of the Orlando community, now and in the future.  Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org.  #OrlandoUnited

JULY – Marlow’s Tavern Celebrates Summer with Grilling Contest 
Nothing says Summer quite like a juicy burger, and Marlow’s Tavern is launching ‘Burgers & Brews,’ a celebration featuring delicious gourmet burgers and craft beers. The celebration also includes the 7th Annual Marlow’s Recipe Contest. ‘Grill Masters’ are encouraged to submit their own original grilling recipe for the opportunity to compete for a coveted Big Green Egg. 2nd place wins a $200 Marlow’s Tavern gift card and 3rd place scores a $100 gift card. Entries are accepted at marlowstavern.com through July 31. Become an Insider at marlowstavern.com for special offers. 

July 1 to 18 -- Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park presents "Urinetown the Musical" 
This oddly named musical won three Tony Awards, three Outer Critic's Circle Awards, two Lucille Lortel Awards, and two Obie Awards, so YES, it’s the real-deal. It’s also a comic satire of the legal system, social irresponsibility, corporate mismanagement, governmental interference, and musical theatre itself. Inspired by the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, ‘Urinetown’ is said to have catapulted the American musical comedy into the 21st Century with its wicked comedy and incisive honesty. Directed by Jamaal Solomon and music directed and choreographed by Angelyn Rhode, call 407.920.4034 or visit breakthroughtheatre.com/tickets/

July 2 to 4 – Key Lime Pie to Flavor Key West Festival 
While tiny Key limes have flavored Florida cuisine since the 1800s, contemporary lime lovers can celebrate the indigenous fruit and the dessert it inspired -- the signature Key lime pie -- during the Key Lime Festival set for July 2 to 4.  Highlights of the weekend include a Key lime pie-eating contest, culinary tasting stroll, and samplings of Key lime rum, beer and cocktails. Events kick off with a tour of the Key West First Legal Rum Distillery at 105 Simonton Street in Key West. Reservations are required. Call 305-741-7443 or visit keylimefestival.com

July 6 at 7 pm -- Robin Cowie’s “Orlando Story Club” at The Abbey
‘Orlando Story Club’ is in a new home giving anyone who wishes to tell a personal story a chance to be selected at random for the opportunity to tell their story. Story Club is held on the first Wednesday of every month with judges awarding prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. July’s theme is “Triumph” and the benefiting charity is the Zebra Coalition, a network of providers, government agencies, and schools that assist LGBT young people facing homelessness, and physical, sexual and drug abuse. Admission is $5. ALL proceeds raised support Orlando philanthropies. The Abbey is at 100 South Eola Drive in Orlando. Visit orlandostoryclub.com

July 7 – ROCK! On at First Thursday at OMART 
Orlando’s original date-related Art Party is always on the First Thursday of the month at the Orlando Museum of Art.  On July 7, Artists will visually display their love for Rock music and those who perform in a show including portraits, symbolic art, sculpture, digital art and more. May the Age of Aquarius inspire your life’s true liberation at the Orlando Museum of Art on July 7 beginning at 6 pm.  Call 407.896.4231 or visit omart.org 

July 8 at 6 pm & 9 pm – PechaKucha Night – Twice in One Night at Dr. Phil Center
An entertainment/education event held several times a year in Orlando, PechaKucha Night features an hour of PowerPoint presentations on a variety of topics. Japanese for ‘chitchat,’ PechaKucha’s format is 20 images x 20 seconds. It makes the presentations concise and keeps things moving. Speakers may present on any subject, from the personal to the public. Since its debut 12 years ago in Japan, the events may be seen in more than 800 cities around the world with audiences in the thousands. 

July 9 and 10 at 7:30 pm – Encore! Cast Performing Arts presents RAGTIME The Musical
Encore! Cast is a non-profit, all-volunteer, 300-member organization dedicated to providing Disney Cast Members an outlet for expression in the performing arts as well as supporting Central Florida charities. Their next performance, RAGTIME, is set in turn-of-the-century New York. Weaving together the stories of a stifled upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring Harlem musician, they confront the timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, hope and despair, and what it means to be an AMERICAN. The performance will benefit USO Central Florida. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators